The half-time break in the Tri-Nations has been extended from 10 to 12 minutes.

The change has been made to assist the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies in adjusting to a longer half-time break before the World Cup in September. The IRB confirmed on Friday that the half-time length at the tournament would be increased to 12 minutes.

The Tri-Nations starts on 23 July with the Boks playing the Wallabies in Sydney.